Odisha leaders across parties mourn Kalpataru’s demise

Political leaders cutting across party lines in Odisha deeply condoled the death of former minister and Rajya Sabha member Kalpataru Das, who passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi this afternoon.

Describing Das an an able parliamentarian and an efficient organiser, Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik said Das, who started his career from the grassroots level, had reached top by dint of his sincerity, efficiency and amaibale nature.

“As a senior and experienced leader, he contributed significantly to the strengthening of the BJD. In his death, Odisha lost a veteran political leader,” the Chief Minister said in his condolence message.

After getting news about the death of Das, the BJD supremo called his son and Dharmashala MLA Pranab Balabantaray and called him over phone and consoled him.

Senior BJP leader and Union Tribal Welfare minister Jual Oram said Das was a popular leader for which he was elected as a member of the Odisha Assembly for four consecutive times. Holding an important portfolio of Panchayati Raj, he had efficiently discharged his duty. He had shown his political acumen after being elected as a member of Rajya Sabha. “His untimely death is certainly a sad incident as Odisha has lost an able organiser, political leader and a social activist,” he said.

In his condolence message, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Das was a deft organiser and had shown his immense administrative skill.

Forest and Environment minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said Kalpataru was an astute politician and an able minister of Odisha. During his tenure as Panchayati Raj minister, he had tried his best to implement each scheme of his department.

“His contribution and efforts to make Jajpur a model district would be remembered forever. His untimely death before proving himself as an able Parliamentarian is extremely unfortunate,” he added.

Expressing profound grief over the passing away of Das, Food Supply and Consumer Welfare and Technical Education and Training minister Sanjay Dasburma said Das was loved and respected by all for his work efficiency. He had a major role in organising the Swabhiman Samavesh in New Delhi.

“As a minister, he had done a number of developmental works in the state. The people of Odisha would remember his contribution in the development of Odisha,” he said.

Describing Das an able Parliamentarian and minister, Panchayati Raj and Law minister Arun Sahu said he had played a major role in the development of his area as well as the state. With his death, Odisha has lost a progressive political leader, Sahu said.

In her message, Textile and Handloom minister Snehangini Chhuria said Das was known as a capable and experienced leader of Odisha. His ability in the successful implementation of several welfare programmes had made him an undisputed leader. “He was a role model for the youths joining politics. With his death, a political void has been created in Odisha”, she added.

In his message, School and Mass Education and Industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra said with the death of Das, Odisha has lost an able organiser and popular leader. “His election to the State Assembly for the fourth time speaks volume of his immense popularity,” he pointed out.

Finance and Public Enterprises minister Pradip Amat said hailing from a middle class family, Das’s competency in politics will be remembered by the people of Odisha forever. “As an able organiser, he had the innate skill in the creation of healthy public relations. In spite of leading a simple life, he was highly ambitious. The void created after his death may be impossible to fill,” the minister said.

Describing Das as a son of the soil of Odisha, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises minister Jogendra Behera said sharing his feelings with the people was his greatest quality. Besides, he had the art of being accepted by the people. With his death, Odisha has lost a top leader, Behera.